Enclosure: William Taliaferro to Charles Lewis, 15 September 1757

Enclosure

William Taliaferro to Charles Lewis

[Fredericksburg, 15 September 1757]Thursday ½ after 3 oClock

Dr Charles

Lieutt Charles Smith about ½ an Hour since unfortunately killed a Man (to whom he was intire Stranger) by a slight Stroke on the Nose without any Malice,1 his Freinds here will enter into Bond as the Majistrates think him Intitd2 traditur in Ballium3 Mrs Smith4 is very desirous of seeing you & desired me to write to you to come immediately here. in haste I am with my Love to Lucy yr Br5

W. Taliaferro

ALS, DLC:GW.
The cover of this letter bears the following note that has been marked out: “Sir[,] be so kind as to favr us so far to send to Coll Waller who is the only Coroner in the County—I have wrote to ⟨him⟩[.] Robt Jackson.”

1. The incident was described in the Maryland Gazette (Annapolis), 22 Sept., in the following way: “Last Thursday an unhappy Affair happened at Fredericksburg in Virginia: Thomas Frazier, our late faithful diligent Post-Rider, getting into some Dispute in a Tavern with an Officer of the Virginia Regiment, the Officer gave him a Blow with his Hand in the Face, of which he died in about Three Quarters of an Hour. The Officer immediately delivered himself up to Justice, and ordered a decent Burial for the Deceased.”

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